What a Spinster Wants - Rebecca Connolly Page 0,93
an attempt to save her. That you would not keep yourself calm and might behave recklessly. Cooler heads must prevail.”
He glared at his aunt. “Cooler heads don’t love Edith as I do.”
“And I am pleased to hear you admit that you love her,” Eloise shot back without hesitation. “But you mean to tell me that Aubrey, Lord Ingram, does not have some love for Edith? Or Captain Sterling? Henshaw has no love for her?”
Graham stiffened in his seat. “I did not say I was the only one to love her,” he insisted quietly. “Only that they do not love her the same.”
Eloise tilted her head. “Do they need to?”
The answer to the question was clearly in the negative, but Graham could not bring himself to admit it.
“Lieutenant Henshaw would go to the ends of the earth for Edith,” Eloise reminded him. “Mr. Andrews would bring down the wrath of hell. Mr. Vale, as I understand it, would do worse. These are not men standing idly by and waiting for the right time to summon you, Gray. I know you are at your wits’ end, wanting something to do to help sweet Edith. But trust that others are doing things and that solutions will come.”
Graham eyed his aunt with some admiration, remembering, belatedly, that she had more energy than her appearance suggested.
“Thank you, Eloise,” he murmured with a smile.
She inclined her head in an almost regal fashion that reminded him of Miranda Sterling. “You are not the only one being driven to distraction, you know.”
“Am I not?” he queried with a quirk of a brow.
“You don’t think Molly and I would run off to save Edith if we only knew how?”
The image was a harrowing one, and a humbling one. Why should his aunt and his niece feel anything less than the rest of them did when it came to Edith? Anyone knowing her would want to help her. He’d wager the Spinsters were beside themselves trying to find a way to help, despite what their husbands would or would not allow. Who knew how many other people would have loved to find a way to save Edith?
Despite being almost alone here at Merrifield, Graham suddenly felt rather less alone in the grander sense.
This had to work. Whatever they settled on, whatever was in the works, had to succeed.
It had to.
Footsteps in the corridor attracted the attention of them both, and the arrival of a footman with a tray brought Graham to his feet. He took the letter from the tray and broke the seal at once, his eyes scanning the words frantically.
All is set. Come to London to begin.
It was signed by Ingram, but it could have come from any of them and had the same effect.
Graham grinned and crumpled the letter in one hand, giving his aunt a triumphant look.
“Well?” she queried with a catch in her voice.
“I’m going to London.” He chuckled in his relief. “I don’t know what we’re doing when I get there, but it sounds as if there is a plan.”
Eloise smiled up at him and took his hand. “Go, Graham. And send us word when we may come to London.”
Graham looked at her in surprise. “You haven’t been to London in years. Will you be well enough for the journey?”
“For Edith,” Eloise insisted with a nod, “I will make myself well enough.”
The whole city of London knew Edith was tainted now; there was no mistaking it.
She could not leave the house without stares, whispers, and comments following her, not even for a walk, as she had tried the other day. Not a soul would look at her. She had gone out walking with Simms that morning, and it was as though she bore the plague.
True to his word, Sir Reginald had his men always following her, and they had even entered the house and her rooms on occasion. Owen had vowed to protect her at all times, no matter the cost, and he rarely left her side when they were at home. He had begun to sleep in her personal sitting room now, with a gun and blade by his side. According to him, he did not care what anybody said; no one would touch her while he drew breath.
Sir Reginald called upon her at will, but he had not yet made any advances worse than what she had already experienced. He had chosen to stay the night a time or two, staying in a guest room, and leaving in broad daylight so everyone